Page 2783 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3
P. 2783
BRUTUS
The present wars devour him; he is grown
Too proud to be so valiant.
SICINIUS
Such a nature,
Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon. But I do wonder
His insolence can brook to be commanded [260]
Under Cominius.
BRUTUS
Fame, at the which he aims −
In whom already he’s well graced − cannot
Better be held nor more attained than by
A place below the first; for what miscarries
Shall be the general’s fault, though he perform [265]
To th’utmost of a man, and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Martius, ‘O, if he
Had borne the business!’
SICINIUS
Besides, if things go well,
Opinion, that so sticks on Martius, shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius.
BRUTUS
Come. [270]
Half all Cominius’ honours are to Martius,
Though Martius earned them not; and all his faults
To Martius shall be honours, though indeed
In aught he merit not.
SICINIUS
Let’s hence and hear
How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion, [275]
More than his singularity, he goes
Upon this present action.
